Window sash balances



Nov. 22, 1966 P. sKoLNlK 3,235,301

WINDOW sAsr; BALANCES Filed July 16, 1964 mi; my 2- SZy INVENTOR pff/4 skew/6 ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,286,301 WINDOW SASH BALANCES Phil Skolnik, P.0. Box 45558, Houston, Tex. Filed July 16, 1964, Ser. No. 383,109 Claims. (Cl. 16-197) tudinal movement, one end of the rod being connected to a window sash. A coil spring having a spring anchor on each end is associated with the spiral rod and the casing so that vertical movement of the window sash, and consequential longitudinal movement of the spiral rod, torsion-ally loads the coil spring.

Although such balances offer operational advantage over their structural alternatives, such balances are complicated and troublesome to assemble. Further, the connector utilized for connecting the spiral rod to a window sash is not always satisfactory because of maintenance requirements and a lack' of structural integrity. Such connectors are overly complicated in construction, un-

' necessarily expensive, and do not facilitate ease in initial installation or subsequent adjustment of the torsional load on the -coil spring.

It is an object of this invention to improve the spiral balance for connection with a window sash in an uncomplicated manner which is easy to assemble and to install.

It is another object 4of this invention to improve the manner in which the spiral rod of the balance may be .connected conveniently to ya window sash or the like.

It is also an object of this invention to provide for convenient adjustment of the torsional load on the coil spring of the balance.

It i-s still another object of this invention to provide a sash connector for a spiral rod of a balance that is structurally sound, inexpensive and simple in construction, and which is effectively locked when engaged.

In achieving these objects, as well -as others which will appear hereinafter, the present invention provides a sash balance for use with a wood or metal window including a jamb element and a sash element, and an anchor fixed to one end of the balanceadapted to connect the' one end of the balance to one of the window elements. In the case of a spiral balance, this usually has a spiral rod with a sash connector at one end. The sash connector includes means projecting laterally of the spiral rod, in the form of a rivet or pin, and bracket means adapted to be fixed to one of the window elements, and constructed for interiitting with the pin. The bracket means may be provided, if desired, with means for locking the interconnection with the pin.

This preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a Afron-t elevational view, partly in section, showing the present sash balance xed to a window jamb and sash;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, vertical, cross-sectional view of the connecting elements shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the connecting elements shown in FIG. 2, taken at right angles thereto; and

FIG. 4 is an enlarged disassembled perspective view 3,286,301 Patented Nov. 22, 1966 lCC of the elements utilized in connecting the spiral rod to a window sash as shown in FIG. l.

Referring in more detail to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the present sash balance is shown posititoned in a conventional window frame, comprising a vertically extending jamb 1, a horizontally extending lintel 2 and sill 3 fixed to the upper and lower ends, respectively, of the jamb 1. The frame further comprises a conventional vertically extending parting strip and 4facing strip (not shown), both of which are xed to the jamb 1 and between which a lower sash 4 is Slidably mounted. The vertical lateral face 5 of the window sash 4 may be provided with a conventionaly vertically extending channel (not shown) which is square in cross-section to receive the spiral balance. Although only one spiral balance is shown in connection with the one lateral edge of the lower sash 4, it will be appreciated that the present sash balance may -be installed on both laterally opposite edges of both the top and bottom sashes in the usual manner.

The present spiral balance comprises a vertically extending casing 6 which may be polygonal, but preferably is square in cross-section. The casing 6 may be enclosed on four sides but preferably is provided with ya vertically extending slot along the full length of the side thereof abutting the window jamb 1. Slidably but snugly received in the upper end of the casing 6 is lan upper spring anchor 7. The entire anchor 7 is preferably constructed of nylon or the like.

The anchor 7 is provided with an enlarged upper portion 8 which may be square in cross-section and which is snugly receivable in the casing 6. Rectangular shoulders 9 extend laterally from at least two sides of the square upper portion 8. The outside dimesions of the square upper portion 8, shoulder to shoulder, is substantially equal to the outside dimensions of the casing 6. It will be seen that the anchor may be received Slidably in the casing 6 to the depth permitted by the shoulders 9 but retained in the casing against rotary movement.

A suitable fastening, such as screw 10, is inserted through aligned apertures in the casing 6 and the anchor 7, for securing these parts to the jamb 1.

The upper spring anchor 7 has xed thereto one end of a coil spring 11 of the iiat wire type. The outside lower diameter of the spring anchor 7 is approximately equal to the inside diameter of the spring 11 in a relaxed condition. However, the outside diameter of the spring anchor 7 immediately subjacent to the upper portion 8 is appreciably greater than the inside diameter of the spring 11 in a relaxed condition.

In assembling this device, because of .its frusto-conical configuration, the lower end of the anchor 7 may be inserted conveniently into the spring `11, but upon forcing the frusto-conical portion thereof into the spring, the lat- .ter is diametrically expanded to such a degree that it is rotatably secured -to the 'truste-conical portion of the,

anchor 7 by the tension induced in the spring.

The :lower end of the coil spring 11 is xedly positioned on .a lower tubular spring anchor 12, also con-V structed of nylon or the like, and having a frusto-conical portionl for ixedly receiving the lower end olf the spring 11. The lower end of the spring anchor 12 is partially closed, with a rectangular slot 13 therein.

To tix longitudinally but rotatably mount the lower spring anchor 12 in the lower end of the casing 6, 1a pair of generally U-shaped, split bearing inserts 14 and 15 are pnovided, as shown .in cross-section in FIG. 1 and as dfi-scl-osed in more detail in my copending application, Serial No. 351,639. Each insert 14 and 15 is received in an aperture in the casing 6 `and comprises a tlat, horizontally extending, general-ly U-shaped portion, Ithe dimension along a leg of the U being substantially equal to the outside dimension of the square casing `6. The width of each U-shaped insert 14 and 15 is substantially equal to the inside dimension of the square casing 6. Each insert 14 and 15 further comprises a ,generally Ushaped block of equal thickness las, and fixed to the base of, the U-shaped portion. Also, the width of each block is substantially equal to the dimension between the legs of the U-shaped portion.

The inserts 14 and 15 abut annular shoulders on the anchor 12 to mount rotatably but lfix longitudinally the anchor in the casing 6.

Referring to FIG. 1, positioned intern-ally of the spring 11 in the casing 6 is an enlongated spiral rod 16 having a stop 17 at the upper end thereof. The rod 16 is extended through the slot 13 in the lower spring anchor 12. The lower end of the spiral rod 16 is provided with a tl-attened portion 18 =having 'a hooked-tool receiving aperture 19 in the lower end thereof for facilitating adjustment of the torsional load on the spring 11 when desired.

The lower end 18 of the spiral rod 16 is further provided with a second aperture 20 f-or iixedly receiving a laterally extending connector element 21, such as a rivet or pin. The connector element or pin 21 comprises a sha-nk 22 extending through the aperture 20. Integral with the shank 22 is a cylindrical portion 23, the diameter of which is slightly larger .than the diameter of ,the shank 22 and of the aperture 20. Integral with the portions 22 and 23 is an enlarged head 24.

In assembling the spiral rod and connector element 21, the shank 22 is inserted 4in the aperture 20 and the inner end ythereof is peened over, as in a rivet, to form a circular shoulder 25 and .thereby lock the lower end 18 of the spiral rod 16 between the shoulder 25 and the cylindrical portion 23 of the connector element 21.

To tix the spiral rod 16 land t-he connector element 21 to the lower sash 4, a bracket 26 is provided. The bracket 26 comprises a vertically extending sil-l abutting base portion 27 having an aperture 28 in the center thereof for reception of a screw 2-9, or the like, to tix the bracket 26 to the lateral face 5 of the lower sash 4. The bracket further includes a horizontal or web section 3l) integral with and perpendicular to the sill abutting portion 27 and terminating in a vertically extending lower portion 31 which is integral with and extends perpendicular-ly beneath the horizontal portion 30.

The lower portion 31 is provided with a vertically extending notch in the lower end thereof, formed between arms 32 and 33 extending generally at right angles to each other but spaced apart a width at least equal to the diameter of the circular portion 23 of the connector element 21, but less than the diameter of the head 24.

The notch formed between the arms 32 and 33 terminates in an upwardly inclined slot, generally designated at 34, formed in the lower portion 31 of the bracket. The pin 21 can enter the notch between the arms 32 and 33 and is guided into the slot 30 -at the upper end of the slot. I-t is thus locked in a position where any tension in the spiral rod 16 will keep the pin locked in place and fprevent it from dropping out of the notch.

Moreover, the arm 32 is longer in a vertical dimension than the :arm 33, projecting downwardly below the lower edge of the latter, which facilitates access to the hole 19 in the lower end of the spiral rod. Furthermore, this relationship of arms 32 and 33 makes it easier to rewind the spring of the balance, and easier to remove the tool therefrom.

In connecting the spiral rod 16 to the sash 4, it is merely necessary to slip the circular portion 23 of the connector pin 21 into the notch and slot 34 of the bracket 26. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the pin 21 abutting the upper end of the slot 34 in upright portion 31 of the bracket 26 restrains longitudinally .the spiral rod 16 against upward movement. The pin 21 further restrains the rod 16 against rotational movement Iab out its longitudinal laxis by abutment of the head 24 against the inside face of the bracket 26.

As will be apparent, to adjust the torsional load on the coil spring 11 it is necessary merely to pull the spiral rod 16 in a downward direction sufficiently to disengage the connector element 21 from the notch in the bracket 26, and to rotate the spiral rod about its longitudinal axis in the desired direction to increase or decrease the torsional load on the spring.

It should be noted that because the sash abutting portion 27 of the bracket 26 is positioned on the lateral face 5 of `the sash 4, the lower face of the sash 4 need not be provided with a slot to receive the bracket in la countersunk manner to insure a close tit between the sash 4 and the sill 3. Further, by positioning of the upper extremity of the bracket 26 adjacent the upper extremity of the lower lattened end 18 of the spiral rod 16, the bracket acts as a stop to abut the lower falce of the spiral balance lower spring anchor 12 and thereby limits movement of the non-spiral lower end 18 of the spiral rod 16 through the slot 13 of the lower spring anchor 12.

Of particular significance is the ieatu-re of the subject dev-ice wherein convenient adjustment of the torsional load on the spring 11 is provided with reliable connecting element-s significantly less complicated than those of the prior art and consequently, savings in production and installation costs are thereby induced.

Assembling the presen-t spiral balance is as follows: Insert the upper and lower spiral anchors 7 and 12 in opposite ends of the spring 11 in a forcible manner so as to nx rotationally the spring on a truste-conical portion of each anchor. The spring with the anchors attached is inserted through the upper end of the casing 6 until the shoulder portions 9 of the upper anchor 7 abut the upper end of the casing. The spiral rod 16 is then dropped through the bore of the upper anchor 7, the lower end 18 of the rod passing through the rectangular slot 13 in the lower anchor 12. The bearing inserts 14 and 15 are then inserted through opposite sides of the casing 6 so as to restrain longitudinally but rotatably mount the lower anchor 12 in the cas-ing 6.

Subsequently, the connector element or pin 21 is inl serted in the aperture 23 in the lower end 18 of the spiral rod 16 and the por-tion extending therethrough is peened over to form a circular shoulder 25 to nx the connector ele-ment therein. Any other suitable means may be used for fixing the connector element to the spiral rod 16. The spiral rod 16 is ythen connected to the sash 4 lby insertion of the connector element or pin 21 within the notch in the end of the bracket 26.

In operation, the spiral balance acts to hold the window sash in the last operative position and to assist in lifting the sash. This function is achieved by connecting the lower end 18 of the spiral rod 16 to the window sash 4 when the sash is in the fully raised condition and the spring 11 is under minimum torsion stress. Upon lowering the window, the spiral rod 16 is carried in a downward direction, and as the spiral -rod is moved through the rectangular slot in the lower anchor 12, the spring anchor 12 is rotated, thereby to increase the torsional load on the spring 11. If downward movement of the window sash is interrupted at any point, the torsional load on the spring 11 acts to offset the weight of the window, tending to urge the window further down. When the window sash is in the fully lowered position, the spring 11 is fully loaded, and raising the window sash is aided by the torsional load on the spring, which acts to urge the window in an upward direction.

From the above, it will be seen that the present spiral balance offers significant advantages in simplicity of construction, structural integrity and ease in assembly, installation and adjustment. Moreover, it is locked to prevent a disconnection of the bracket. A-ny tension on the spiral rod will tend t-o keep the connecting pin locked in place against accidental dropping out.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in one embodiment, it is recognized that variations and changes may be made therein, without departing from the invention as set forth in the claims.

I claim:

1. A sash balance for use with a window including a jamb element 'and a sash element, said balance comprising a rectangular, elongated casing, said casing being adapted to be xed at one end to one of the window elements and having aperture means in the opposite end thereof, an elongated coil spring positioned in said casing, a lirst spring anchor 'means positioned in said one end of said casing, said rst anchor Imeans including a rectangular portion substantially equa-l in size to the interior dimensions of said casing, one end of said rectangular portion having rectangular shoulders projecting over said one end of said casin| said first spring anchor having -a lfrusto-conical portion lixed adjacent said rectangular portion for iixedly lreceiving one end of said coil spring, a second spring anchor means positioned in said opposite end of said casing and having a bore through the length thereof, said second spring anchor means including spaced annular shoulders on .the outer periphery thereof and a frusto-conical portion for lxedly receiving an opposite end of said coil spring, bearing means supported in said aperture means and spanning said casing, said bearing means comprising a plurality of superimposed U-shaped inserts, said inserts being of a lengt-h substantially equal to the width of said casing, said bearing means positioned between said -annular shoulders on said second anchor means for longitudinally restraining but rotatably mounting said second spring anchor means in said casing, an elongated spiral rod, means operatively connecting said spiral rod with said second spring anchor means so that longitudinal movement of the spiral rod causes rotary movement of said second spring anchor means to thereby torsionally load said coil spring, projecting means fixedly and laterally projecting from said spiral rod, said projecting means including an enlarged head laterally spaced from said spiral rod, and bracket means having -an odset portion on the end thereof positioned away from said coil spring,

said odset portion having an open notch therein, said 4 notch opening away from said coil spring and receiving said projecting means with said head and said spiral rod on opposite sides of the odset portion and being adapted to connect said spiral rod to the other of said window elements.

2. The combination with a window having a movable sash, of a balance device having a coiled spring and a spiral rod operatively connected with the coiled spring, said spiral rod having an end portion and extending generally parallel with a lateral edge of the sash and beside said edge, and mean-s connecting said end portion with the sash comprising a bracket having one end portion attached to said :lateral edge of the sash, and having the opposite end portion odset from the sash and extending datwise in abutting relation against a side of the spiral rod parallel with the face of said lateral edge of the sash, said last-mentioned end portion of the bracket having an elongated slot therein, and a headed pin projecting from the end portion of the spiral rod into said slot for detachably connecting the spiral rod with the bracket.

3. The combination according to claim 2, wherein the rst-mentioned end portion of the bracket extends atwise against the lateral edge of the sash that extends generally parallel with the coiled spring and spiral rod, and a headed fastening extending through said rst mentioned end portion of the bracket in detachable connection with the sash for attaching the bracket thereo.

4. The combination according to claim 2, wherein the bracket extends upright between the spiral rod and said lateral edge of the sash that is generally parallel with the spiral rod, with the lower end of the bracket having the elongated slot therein.

5. The combination according to claim 4, wherein the elongated slot extends to the lower end of said bracket and has the upper end of said slot inclined transversely of the bracket in odset relation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,260,056 10/ 1941 Rosentreter 16--197 2,580,705 1/1952 Tappan 16-197 FOREIGN PATENTS 101,564 10/ 1923 Switzerland.

5 EDWARD C. ALLEN, Primary Examiner.

BOBBY R. GAY, Examiner.

J. H. MCGLYNN, Assistant Examiner. 

2. THE COMBINATION WITH A WINDOW HAVING A MOVABLE SASH, OF A BALANCE DEVICE HAVING A COILED SPRING AND A SPIRAL ROD OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH THE COILED SPRING, SAID SPIRAL ROD HAVING AN END PORTION AND EXTENDING GENERALLY PARALLEL WITH A LATERAL EDGE OF THE SASH AND BESIDE SAID EDGE, AND MEANS CONNECTING SAID END PORTION WITH THE SASH COMPRISING A BRACKET HAVING ONE END PORTION ATTACHED TO SAID LATERAL EDGE OF THE SASH, AND HAVING THE OPPOSITE END PORTION OFFSET FROM THE SASH AND EXTENDING FLATWISE IN ABUTTING RELATION AGAINST A SIDE OF THE SPIRAL ROD PARALLEL WITH THE FACE OF SAID LATERAL EDGE OF THE SASH, SAID LAST-MENTIONED END PORTION OF THE BRACKET HAVING AN ELONGATED SLOT THEREIN, AND A HEADED PIN PROJECTING FROM THE END PORTION OF THE SPIRAL ROD INTO SAID SLOT FOR DETACHABLY CONNECTING THE SPIRAL ROD WITH THE BRACKET. 